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In today's economy it is more important than ever to take care when preparing your house for sale. If you are using a real estate agent, that person will be able to look at your home objectively from a buyer's point of view, and suggest things to change to make your home more appealing to potential buyers. The first thing a potential buyer will see is the curb appeal when they walk to the front door for the first time. The next thing a buyer will see is the entry and living room and will make a judgement as to the openness and brightness of the home from that moment. Next, the kitchen and bathrooms will be judged on functionality and use of space. The buyer will want to get a good idea of how much space the bedrooms and closets have. Finally, the buyer will go into the backyard to see the potential for having a dog, for example. Below are some steps to take to ensure the buyer has the best possible first impression of all areas of the home.

The first step is to take a look at the outside of your home from a distance, such as from across the street. Do you see any maintenance items that need correcting?
Make sure the paint and siding is in good condition. The lawn should be mowed and planting areas free from weeds. Any outdoor areas like patios or porches need swept. Having patio furniture in good condition is important to make the front of the house leading to the doorway more inviting.

The next thing to look at is the inside entry way and living room areas. No furniture should be blocking a person's walking path into the home. The living space needs to appear large and open, so remove any furniture that is too large for the space or is unnecessary. All window blinds should be open in order to let in the most amount of natural light, which will give the buyer the impression of brightness.The environment needs to appear neutral, which means removing most of your own family pictures and religious symbols. Put those items in storage and in their place use accessories that accent your home's color or design scheme.

The kitchen is the next place a buyer will see most usually. Functionality and use of space is the top priority in a kitchen. If there are any repairs needed to counter tops or flooring, do so prior to listing the home for sale. Remove any appliances or items that clutter the counter tops and cupboards. You don't have to get rid of these things if you don't want to, just put them in storage until you move. It will help you get a head start on packing!

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